Title

Author

Faculty Advisor

Thalladi, Venkat R.

Abstract

The objective of this project is to devise a simple method that enables the creation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold exhibiting a large variety of head groups. Initially, the SAMs were synthesized in the traditional manner, which involved (i) conversion of a bromoalkanoic acid to an amide with a designated head group, (ii) conversion of the bromo group to a thiol, and (iii) creation of a SAM. The fabrication of SAMs using this approach proved to be time-consuming due to a three-step synthetic procedure and a lengthy purification sequence. In order to overcome these disadvantages, an on-board approach is tested. This approach consisted of creating a SAM of mercaptoundecanoic acid on gold and then incorporating the designated head group in-situ. It exemplified a significant shortening of reaction time and eliminated the need for purification. The resulting onboard SAMs, as well as SAMs created from the traditional approach, were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, grazing-incidence IR, and contact angle measurements. In the near future, this onboard approach will be used in a combinatorial exploration of thin films toward selective nucleation and crystal growth of pharmaceutical polymorphs.

Publisher

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Date Accepted

January 2004

Major

Chemistry

Project Type

Major Qualifying Project

Copyright Statement

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